Ashura

Ayatollah Khamenei

“There is a crucial point in Imam Hussein’s (Peace Be upon Him) lifetime which impacts upon all the historical events just like the highest mountain looming up in front of us and that is nothing but Ashura!”

(26th January 1992)

Imam Hussain (a.s.) was asked, “Why do you fear Allah so much?” Imam Hussain (a.s.) answered, “No one is safe from hardships of the Hereafter except that he fears Allah in this world.”
Abdullah Ibn ‘Ubayd says, “Imam Hussain (a.s.) went to Hajj pilgrimage on foot twenty times, while he had a horse to ride.”
Imam Sajjad (a.s.) was asked, “Why are your father’s children so few?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “I am even wondered of my birth; my father performed a thousand rak’ahs of prayer a day.”
It is narrated that Hasan (a.s.) and Hussain (a.s.) were going to Hajj pilgrimage on foot. Everyone who passed them on horseback landed and continued the way on foot. Walking was difficult for some of the pilgrims. They told Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqas, “Walking is hard for us, but we cannot ride while these two honorable persons walk.” Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqas related their speech to Imam Hasan (a.s.) and added, “I wish you rode your horses for the comfort of these weak pilgrims.” Imam Hussain (a.s.) said, “We do not ride, since we are obliged to walk toHajj pilgrimage. However, we run away from this path for the sake of other pilgrims.” Then Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Hussain (a.s.) did so.

Imam Hussain’s Virtues
The Messenger of Allah (S) stated, “Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain. Everyone who likes Hussain is loved by Allah. Hussain is a sibt (son of daughter) of my sibts.”
Prophet Muhammad (S) also said, “Everyone who wants to see the most beloved person in the heavens and the earth should look at Hussain.”
Hadhifah has narrated from the Messenger of Allah (S), “Allah has granted Hussain a virtue that He has given to no one, except to Joseph, son of Jacob.”
Hadhifat Ibn Yaman says, “I saw the Messenger of Allah (S) holding Hussain’s hand and saying, ‘O people! This is Hussain Ibn Ali. Know him! By Allah that he will be in the Paradise, along with his friends and the friends of his friends.’ He then continued, ‘Hasan and Hussain are the best people on the earth, after their father and I, and their mother is the best woman in the world.’”
Prophet Muhammad (S) said, “Hasan and Hussain are my two flowers on the earth.”
The Prophet (S) stated, “Hasan and Hussain are masters of the youth of the Paradise and their father is more virtuous than them.”

Birth and Martyrdom
Imam Hussain (a.s.) was born on the third or fifth of Sha’ban in the fourth year A.H. in Medina. His father was Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) and his mother was Fatimah (s.a.), Prophet Muhammad (S)’s daughter. His nickname was Abu ‘Abdullah and his most famous titles were Tayyib, Sayyid, Sibt, Wafi, and Mubarak.
At his birth time, Gabriel was revealed to the Messenger of Allah (S) for congratulating and brought Allah’s message to the Prophet (S) to name the infant Hussain. The Messenger of Allah (S) recited ‘adhan in his right ear and ‘iqamah in his left ear. On the seventh day after Imam Hussain’s (a.s.) birth, two sheep were sacrificed for him and the meat was divided among the poor.
Imam Hussain (a.s.) lived fifty six years and some days,according to some narrations.He lived six years and several months with Prophet Muhammad (S) before the Prophet (S)’s demise, thirty years with his father, ten years with his brother Imam Hasan (a.s.) after his father’s demise, and ten years after his brother’s demise. He was martyred on the day of ‘ashura (tenth of Muharram) in the year sixty one A.H. in Karbala and his holy body was buried in that land.

Imam’s horse didn’t move there, Imam (AS) asked: asked: What is the name of this land? They said: “Ghazryh". Imam (AS) asked the other name of land, they said: “Shaty Forat” . then Imam asked, Does this land have another name? They said: “it is also called Karbala". Imam (AS) sighed heavily and began to cry and said: “Annie Allhm Avz Alkrb and Albla’ my back.” By God, this is the land of Karbala, our men will be killed here, by God, our women and children are captive here, by God, our respect is demolished here. He said: ” javānmardān, come down. Our graves are here.

Imam Hussain (AS) letter to the people of Kufa.

On this day, Imam Hussain (AS) wrote a letter to elders of Kufa wrote and gave it to Qays ibn Ms·hr Saidawi to send it to Kufa. Officers arrested Qays on the way and after he spoke too much against Yazid, killed him.

When Imam Hussain (AS) heard the news of the martyrdom of Qays, he cried and said: “Allhm Ajl Lena and Lshytna Ndk Mnzla Kryma, and Ajm Bynna and Fi-based Bynhm I Rhmtk Nk Qadir Ali object.”

Source: Shiite Calendar Book.

It must be said, it is the month of sadness of all the world; every year since the beginning of Muharram until Ashura, the ripped dress of Imam Hussein is hang down from the Throne of God and grief and sorrow fills all the universe..

Muharram is also the beginning of mourning ceremonies of Imam Hussein (AS).
These ceremonies make people familiar with their faith.
In Muharram people get their religious commands from Takaya, Hussainias, and mosques and put these command into their mind and heart. Attending in mourning ceremonies and cry for Seyedolshohada (AS) are our duties in the absence of Imam Mahdi (AS).

It was Wednesday that Imam Hussein (AS) sink Ejlal at Mqatel Palace. It is well known that in the in this place of Imam Hussain (AS) met Obaidullah ibn Hurr Jafy and invited him to help. But he did not accept and later regretted. And then Imam Hussein (AS) arrived at Nineveh.

Source: Shiite Calendar Book

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